BACK 2 SCHOOL BOWL-A-THON CHRISTMAS & EASTER TOY DISTRIBUTION

LATE-NIGHT CATECHISM OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

BACK 2 SCHOOL

Every summer, Prince of Peace solicits donations of new socks, underwear, notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, and other school supplies from churches and other organizations across Mercer County. All of the collected supplies are assembled and sorted by the Center's staff and volunteers in mid-August.

Then, just before the start of the new school year, parents of low-income families who participate in the Center's food distribution programs come to the Center and pick up supplies for their children in grades K-6.

Through this program, Prince of Peace provides new clothes and school supplies to hundreds of children who would not otherwise receive such items.

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Since the Prince of Peace Center sponsored its first Bowl-A-Thon in 2000, it has become one of the Center's most recognizable events. Individuals who solicit $30 of donations receive three games of bowling, shoe rental, and a free t-shirt.

They also are eligible to win a variety of door prizes, which range from free food at local restaurants to tickets for pro sporting events to gift certificates for local businesses. In past years, the event has been emceed by local radio personalities Bob Popa and Joe Biro.

The 8th Annual Bowl-A-Thon is April 6, 2008 at 10 Pin Alley in Hermitage. All proceeds will help the Center carry out its mission of strengthening families, building community, and eradicating poverty.

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CHRISTMAS & EASTER TOY DISTRIBUTION

Just as the Back 2 School event brightens the beginning of the academic year, the Christmas and Easter Toy Distribution events provide a bit of holiday cheer for low-income families from across the Shenango Valley.

Throughout Advent and Lent, church groups and other organizations collect unused toys that will be donated to the Center. Once the toys arrive at Prince of Peace, volunteers sort the items according to age-appropriateness. Then, just prior to Christmas and Easter, parents of needy families come to the Center and select toys that they would like to give to their children. Every year, hundreds of children benefit from these events.

Thanks to the generosity of the Mercer County community, the 2007 Christmas Toy Distribution provided more than 2,000 toys to children in local families.

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LATE-NIGHT CATECHISM

In years past, Prince of Peace presented a production of the international smash hit play Late Night Catechism at Sharon High School. The play is an interactive, humorous exploration of Catholic doctrine by a single, habit-clad nun, who was portrayed by Barbara Hunt.

The play was supported by many local businesses, and it was well-received by the 344 paid audience members. The production exposed the local community to the wide variety of programs and events sponsored by the Prince of Peace Center, and it also raised nearly $14,000 to help fund those very programs and events.

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OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

The Prince of Peace Center sponsors a variety of other special events throughout the course of the year. These include:

~ visits to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Zoo for H.O.P.E. and R.U.T.H. participants
~ an annual trip to a Scrappers minor league baseball game in Niles, OH for participants in the Center's soup kitchen and food programs
~ an on-site community garden where low-income families are allotted plots of land on which to grow their own food
~ a multi-day Vacation Bible School for children during the summer
~ a wintertime Warmth Project to distribute gloves, hats, and blankets to those in need

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Conscious of its position as an important part of the Farrell and Mercer County communities, the Center participates fully in a variety of community-sponsored events. It does so in a variety of ways, including:

~ riding a float in the annual Buhl Day parade
~ setting up information booths at local health and social service fairs
~ operating face-painting booths and performing skits during Farrell's Juneteenth celebration
~ distributing candy and contributing to the carnivalesque atmosphere of Farrell Days

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